Prepare

Posted on April 16, 2014 by David Nuottila

man-prayingAnd [Jesus] sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” Mark 14:13-15

Wednesday of the week we call Holy, the day to make final preparations, the day when the people of God make themselves ready for the service of Triduum, the Three Days. How do we prepare? What things are left undone? We have waved the palms; greeted our King and welcomed Christ into our midst.  We have heard the words of his Passion. Many preparing for baptism have studied at the feet of their shepherd. The significance of the Sacrament of the Altar has been made known to those who will receive it for the first time. What is left to prepare?

The Three Days serve as our opportunity to once again enter into the mysteries of faith and be strengthened by the power of Christ victory. Through them we ask God to again mold our minds to be the mind of Christ. We ask that God make us free from the stain of sin. That he feeds us the bread of life and nourishes us so that we might live as Jesus lived; loving God and neighbor, welcoming the strangers within our midst; serving the needs of others and remaining faithful to God’s desires for his people.

Today is a day of preparation. It is a day for the people of God to hear and follow the Word of God. It is the advent of the Triduum; the holiest days. People of God, prepare yourselves. Read the scriptures. Give thanks for God’s presence in your life. Ask that God lead you in spirit to worship throughout this time that you too may enter into the mysteries of faith and experience anew the saving power of Jesus’ victory upon the cross and witness the glory of his resurrection.

Holy God, Prepare us for these Three Days. Grace us with your presence. Gather us for worship that we may hear your Word and receive your grace. Send us as witnesses so others may know the power of your love through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Great Expectations

Posted on April 15, 2014 by David Nuottila

Why do you worry[Jesus said], “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

We live in a world filled with expectations. Children are expected to do well in school. College graduates expect to embark on a high paying career. Investors expect their portfolio will pay huge dividends. Life is filled with expectations, some are met, many others are not.

God also has expectations. He expects that humanity will obey his law. He expects that people will worship him as the One True God. God expects his people will love him with all their heart, mind, soul and strength and that we will love our neighbor as ourselves. And God expects us to share our faith and bear fruit for his kingdom. Again, these expectations are too seldom realized.

It seems as though there is a disconnect, a wide gap between God’s expectations and those of humanity. Our sinful selves have strayed from God’s goodness and decided to live according to our own expectations. People tend to live for themselves more than for God. We strive to be self-sufficient, personally secure and financially independent. The farther we stray from God’s expectations, the more we fall short; our best effort isn’t good enough. In the end, our sense of expectation is replaced with worry. Why? Simple, our expectations don’t match God’s.

God is the creator and owner of all things. Jesus teaches us that out of his generosity, God supplies everything we need to live a fruitful and abundant life. Even as God cares and provides for the plants and animals, how much more will God care and provide for those created in his image and likeness? The truth is God provides for his people and expects we will acknowledge him for it. As we do, we realize the tremendous blessing it is to be called “Child of God.”

The world expects people will live a certain way, living for self rather than for God and neighbor. God’s expectations are much different, and when we fail to live accordingly, God supplies his grace which is sufficient in every need. For just as our failure to meet God’s expectations weighs heavy on our hearts, even greater is God’s desire to provide for his people.

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Fear

Posted on April 11, 2014 by David Nuottila

mark6-50But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Matthew 14:30

We have all heard the saying, “Be aware of things that go bump in the night.” When it is dark, things are supposed to be peaceful. When we are at rest, things are supposed to be quiet. At the end of the day when we have settled in we do so having commended the day to God. We are through for the night; it’s time to sleep. But then something goes “bump.”

Actually, things go “bump” throughout the day and night. There are so many things that cause us to be afraid. I’m not talking about the sort of fear one feels while watching a scary movie, I’m speaking about real fear. The test results come back and the doctor wants to meet with you privately. Your employer calls you to his/her office following a meeting with his manager or a client. There are so many instances in life that cause us to experience real fear. “How will I provide for my family?” “Is it treatable?”

In our text, the twelve were crossing the Sea of Galilee at night when there arose a violent storm. Notice the text before us doesn’t say the disciples were afraid of the storm. They were able bodied seamen, fishermen by trade. The twelve knew how to handle a boat even in rough weather. Given the wind and waves, things were difficult enough. But then, something went “bump.”

In the midst of facing the storm they saw a human figure walking toward them on the water. People don’t walk on water, let alone during a violent storm. This vision caused them great fear; scripture tells us “they were terrified.” Yet, Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid, it is I.” Hearing Jesus’ voice, Peter calls out telling him that if it really were his Lord, “Command me to come out on the water.” For the people of God there comes a point when fear must give way to faith, and faith leads us to trust and believe.

Peter got out of the boat; he walked on the water with Jesus. Only when fear took his eyes away from his Lord did Peter begin to sink. It is the same for people today. Through faith, God equips us to face our fears. Trusting in Jesus we can walk with our Lord through trials and adversity. Only when fear overcomes us, only as doubt takes our focus away from God can the powers of the world defeat us. Yet God’s love is so sure, his grace so powerful, even in such instances we can call out “Lord, save me!”

Jesus says, “Take heart; it is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Lord God, you are the one who saves your people. Rescue me from the things that go “bump” in my life. Give me the sure and certain hope of your love. Help me to take heart and know you are with me always. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

 

Photo credit:  carolinasnalc.org

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Rest

Posted on April 8, 2014 by David Nuottila

???????????????????????????????[Jesus] said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Mark 6:31

The disciples returned from the mission from which Jesus sent them filled with excitement. They couldn’t wait to report to their teacher the many things they had done in his name. Jesus sent them with power and authority. In Christ’s name, the twelve cast out demons, anointed many with oil and healed the sick. Pairing up and traveling from place to place, the disciples preached the message of repentance to all who would hear. Certainly there was plenty to discuss, but understanding their needs, Jesus invited them to come to a place of rest for they had done much in the way of ministering to God’s people.

Life as a disciple of Christ is much the same today. Those who are engaged in ministering to the sick, hungry, homeless and lost find that there is seemingly no end to such mission. In many and various ways, the people of God often lean heavily upon those called to ministry. Even still, the passion and excitement displayed by the twelve is paralleled by the passion of today’s disciple. Similarly, just as with the twelve, there is seldom a day when one may take full advantage of finding a desolate place in which to rest. Even at rest, the disciple loves those whom God has placed in his charge, he cares for the sick, tends to the needy and prays for the flock. The notion of rest seems unattainable, yet Jesus realizes and understands their needs.

Following the boat that carried Jesus and the twelve to that “desolate” place was a great crowd. When Jesus saw them, he had compassion and called his disciples to give them something to eat. What followed was perhaps one of Jesus’ most powerful miracles. Not only did Jesus feed the multitude, he fed the twelve. As we continue to trust and follow our Lord, Jesus himself continues to feed us with the truth of the gospel, the compassion of God’s love and with food from heaven provided in abundance. The blessing of being in ministry and service in the name of Christ is such that as the disciple grows tired, Jesus fills them with power, even when the desolate place is not so peaceful.

Dearest Jesus, thank you for preparing your disciples for ministry. Thank you for the strength to do your will. Thank you for the power of your love. Using these, my we take our rest in you. Amen.

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Peace

Posted on April 7, 2014 by David Nuottila

Disciples in the stormAnd [Jesus] awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39

While the storm was raging, Jesus was in the back of the boat. The twelve were frantic, thinking that at any given moment all would be lost. Finally, overcome by fear they call out to Jesus; “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Hearing this, Jesus stood up, rebuked the storm and delivered them from chaos. In that one moment, upon the calm waters the disciples experienced peace.

How much are we like the twelve? How often are we overcome with doubt and fear and forget that our Lord is with us? As the people of God face each day, we do so living in the midst of disappointment and uncertainty about the future. We are confronted with broken relationships, hurt by the actions of others or hurting those whom we love through ours. People in all walks of life must deal with sickness, addiction, loneliness and depression. We can safely say the waters of the storm are raging all around us and our boat is in peril. If we allow our daily strife to prevail, we will drown in the turbulent waters of the storm and peace will elude us. But Jesus is with us.

Remembering the life of our Lord and Savior, we also recall that he is the one who heals the sick, brings comfort to those who are hurting and restores relationships broken by the power of sin. In the midst of the storm, Jesus stands with us and says, “Peace! Be still.” When we call upon the Lord we realize the power of his love. When we realize the power of his love, the raging storm loses its power and the peace of Christ prevails.

Jesus said, “Peace! Be still.” And the people of God said, “Amen!”

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